Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 372 Lisa: Ava's Camp

LISA

After miles of walking, the sun is pretty high in the sky.

I'm too exhausted to shove back layers to take a peek at my watch, plus I really don't want to know what time it is. If it's too early, I'll know we're still ages from seeing Ava. If it's too late, I'll be even more exhausted knowing how long we've been trudging through the snow.

Better to just keep going as my lungs burn and my whole body aches. I really thought I was ready for this, but I'm not in as good of shape as I'd thought.

Kellan's doubtful stare when I asked to come along is really making sense.

"Don't worry." Mira's friendly voice tells me she's back. Sometimes she roams ahead, helping break trail. "We aren't far now."

Thank. Fucking. God.

Mira points at a thin line of grey against the pale winter sky. "See that smoke? That's their camp."

My shoulders sag with relief as I stare at the back of Kellan's head. His broad shoulders haven't slowed once during our trek, and here I am ready to collapse. "Have I slowed you all down?"

"Not at all." Mira's smile warms her words. "We don't always scout in wolf form, you know."

"Why not?" It hadn't occurred to me that they would do that, but now that she's mentioned it—well, why wouldn't they? "Wouldn't it be easier?"

"Things are different when we're shifted. We don't make a habit of

"Different how?"

stronger, but complex reasoning becomes harder. Plus, clothes are a pain to deal with. No one

glance at Kellan's back. His

deep snow, and my breath comes in harsh pants that crystallize in front of my face. The rising sun does nothing to warm me, though its

smoke is ever closer, and eventually the scent of cooking meat makes my mouth water. The promise of warmth and food urges me forward those last few steps until the camp

carries across the snow as she waves

blur crashes through the snow. Selene slams into me with the force of a furry semi, knocking me flat on my back. Her tongue assaults

trying to shield my face from her assault. "Your

arms, hauling me back to my feet. Snow clings to my clothes, but I don't care as I stumble forward to wrap Ava in a tight

you doing all the way out here?" Ava squeezes me

noting the rosy flush in her cheeks. She looks better than I do after a

actually. But once Vanessa shoves this meal

deep in conversation with Marcus, their heads bent together as they discuss whatever important wolf business demands their attention. We're here to bring meat

you

moose. I'm just going to help eat it. Want some stew?

an embarrassingly loud growl. Ava laughs and loops her arm through mine, leading me toward the tent. The smell of herbs and

neat bundles, barely sparing

camping are small. Not the kind you stand up

wasn't bad, but Greg snored

what appears to be a folded sleeping bag. My muscles protest the movement—I'll definitely feel this trek tomorrow. But it was worth it. Good to know what these people do every time